VLOOKUP does not work - what to do?

If the VLOOKUP function does not work in Excel, this may be due to incorrect values. In this practical tip we will tell you what you can do about it.

VLOOKUP doesn't work - you can do that

The VLOOKUP function searches the selected area for a specific matrix and outputs the overall result.

• To do this, you must enter the formula followed by the search criterion (for example "CHIP") and the search area (example A1; B1).
• Make sure that you have entered the formula correctly and that the search criteria are specified correctly.
• Even a space can make the formula not work properly.
• If you see an error, click the arrow next to it and choose either "Convert to Text" or "Convert to Numbers".
• In some cases it may help to adjust the formatting of the cell. To do this, right-click on the respective cell and select "Format cell". Here you have to select a new category, either "Number" or "Text".
• Alternatively, you can try copying the entire contents of the table and pasting them into a new table. The function may then work correctly.